WISBECH IS HAUNTED BY THE GHOSTS OF DEAD PUBS. Here a few where the buildings still survive. There are as many again that have been demolished. The text is taken from Arthur Oldham's book, 'The Inns and Taverns of Wisbech.
THE BIRD IN HAND, North Brink."Thomas Bulman was there in 1846, and kept it until October 16th 1866. Mr Bulman was a retail coal merchant, and every year three or four 'billy-boys' came up the river and were unloaded there, the coal being stored at the back of the inn.The inn was the background of a tragedy in 1852, when on June 4th an inquest was held within its walls into the death of a Mr Wright, of Leverington, aged 77, who was in a conversation with a Mr Whitley of Barton Lane, and whilst so engaged fell to the ground and shortly afterwards expired. A verdict of 'Died By The Visitation Of God' was returned. In 1867, the landlord, Thomas Thacker was charged with assaulting his step-daughter, Fanny Webster. It was a brutal assault, and he was fined twenty-eight shillings."
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| THE BIRD IN HAND |
THE BRIDGE, Norwich Road. "It was kept in 1850 by George Barnes. There was also a side entrance from Wellington Terrace, on the canal"
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| THE BRIDGE |
THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE, North Street. "In 1846 it was occupied by Edward Shacklock. In June 1869, a very rough looking character named Joseph Stafford, a labourer, lodging at the Elephant and castle, was brought up, charged with being found on the enclosed premises of Mr John Curtis, with felonious intent."
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| THE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE |
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THE ENGINEERS TAVERN,
Victoria Street. "This tavern dates from the early days of the Great
Eastern Railway. The Conservative Club, now at Hill Street is said to
have commenced in The Engineers Tavern."
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| THE ENGINEERS TAVERN |
THE FERRY HOUSE, or FERRY BOAT, Norfolk Street. "The river in Wisbech, in olden times took a very different course from that taken by it now. It was known as 'The Ferry House' as far back as 1874, and alternatively has been called 'The Ferry Boat up to the present time."
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| THE FERRY BOAT |
THE RAILWAY TAVERN, Victoria Road. "Situated near Wisbech East Passenger Station, it has done a steady trade since Job Whitlock was landlord in 1860. There were originally two small cottages on the site of the present tavern. At the rear of the premises can still be seen the remnants of a skittle alley. William Bennett, the present tenant, has been at the Tavern since October 1924."
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| THE RAILWAY TAVERN |
THE RUTLAND ARMS, Lynn Road. "From here, in 1845, departed passengers and goods by packet boat for Ely, every Saturday, returning on Thursdays. On a Friday in 1880, a Coroner's Inquest was held in the building, into the death of Henry Elget, who had hanged himself in the hayloft."
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| THE RUTLAND ARMS |
THE SHIP, Market Place."Thomas
Thompson was landlord in 1792. William Hides became landlord in
December 1853. In April 1858 he respectfully informed his friends, and
the general public, that he had, at considerable expense, engaged for
one evening only, on Monday April 12th, 'A Galaxy of Novel, Curious,
Comic, Musical and Ventriloquist Talent entitled HOFFMAN'S UNIQUE
ENTERTAINMENT, which was patronised by Roralty, Nobility, Clergy and
Gentry, comprising Hoffman's Organo-phonic Band, or Human Voice
Orchestra."
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| THE SHIP |
THE UNICORN, West Street. "It has been occupied for a long while, the earliest tenant known was the widow of William Terry, who kept the inn in 1792."
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| THE UNICORN |
THE VINE, Old Market. "This was one of four most important coaching inns in the town. In 1816, Mr J.C. Curwin, a leading solicitor and Town Clerk of Wisbech was accustomed to spend convivial evenings at 'The Vine'. On a certain Saturday night he joined others in drinking many shilling glasses of punch. He lost consciousness (his wisdom having left him long before) and on awakening, he made the painful discovery that his queue, or pigtail, had been shorn from his head. Rewards were offered, but failed to discover the perpetrator of the outrage, and the offender escaped detection."
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| THE VINE |
HERE ARE TWO LINKS TO WEBSITES LISTING MORE OF THE 'LOST' PUBS
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/cambridgeshire/wisbech.html
http://deadpubs.co.uk/Cambridgeshire/Wisbech/index.shtml
